Versus

APLB Ascorbyl Glucoside Peptide Facial Cream Versus MEDI-PEEL Peptide 9 Vitanol Pro Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on October 01, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides and Vitamin C

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ascorbyl Glucoside Peptide Facial Cream
Peptide 9 Vitanol Pro Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Niacinamide 12%

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Isoamyl Laurate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

Emollient
Oil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay cause irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propanediol

Solvent

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Octyldodecanol

Emollient

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Microcrystalline Wax

Emulsion Stabilising
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Emollient
3 / 0 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Sorbitan Olivate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Punica Granatum Fruit Extract

Antioxidant

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Glucosylrutin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate

Emollient

Disodium EDTA

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglutamic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sucrose Palmitate

Emollient

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hydrolyzed Sponge

Skin Conditioning

Retinyl Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Menadione

Masking

Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Artemisia Annua Extract

Masking

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract

Humectant

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Arachis Hypogaea Oil

Skin Conditioning
2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Camellia Japonica Flower Extract

Emollient

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract

Masking

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cocos Nucifera Oil

Masking
4 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Alteromonas Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Phenethyl Alcohol

Masking

Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Chlorella Minutissima Extract

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Sodium Phosphate

Buffering

Lecithin

Emollient

Retinal

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Copper Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconGood for Skin Texture IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Oligopeptide-29

Antioxidant
Peptide IconAntioxidant Icon

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Humectant
Peptide Icon

Oligopeptide-32

Antiseborrhoeic
Peptide Icon

Oligopeptide-6

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Sh-Oligopeptide-2

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-10

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Sh-Polypeptide-60

Skin Conditioning
Peptide Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide 12%, Isoamyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodecanol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Methylpropanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Glucosylrutin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Disodium EDTA, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Salicylic Acid, Sucrose Palmitate, Citric Acid, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Menadione, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Glutathione, Artemisia Annua Extract, Linoleic Acid, Phaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Linolenic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Lecithin, Retinal, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Oligopeptide-29, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Oligopeptide-32, Oligopeptide-6, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-10, Sh-Polypeptide-60, Parfum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning

sh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.

In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.

Studies find EGF help with:

In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.

According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:

There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.

Learn more about Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Emollient, Emulsifying

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.

This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Artemisia Annua Extract comes from a plant more commonly known as annual mugwort.

Mugwort contains flavonoids, a potent antioxidant. Ongoing studies are looking at its ability to increase wound-healing and soothe the skin.

This ingredient has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help reduce fever.

Fun fact: Artemisia Annua Extract is used to treat Malaria due to its natural anti-malarial properties. The scientist who discovered this has been awarded a Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Learn more about Artemisia Annua Extract
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.

Collagen is the most abundant type of structural protein found in your body. In your skin, it is responsible for keeping it firm and youthful.

Hydrolyzed Collagen is created by breaking up proteins into smaller peptide bonds. These peptides act as humectants and emollients.

Humectants are great at holding onto water, keeping skin hydrated. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

There is ongoing debate about whether hydrolyzed collagen works because it increases skin hydration. Skin hydration is also linked to elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles.

Collagen or peptide ingredients can be used in the morning or night. They will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.

According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is a great hair conditioner as well.

This ingredient can be extracted from different sources, including:

Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources. Vegan collagen would go by a different INCI name, such as hydrolyzed soy protein.

The results are varied.

A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.

However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.

Further studies are needed at this time.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract comes from the seabuckthorn berry. This berry is native to Asia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

The seabuckthorn fruit contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, Vitamin C, linoleic acid, and vitamin E.

The nutritious content of seabuckthorn fruit helps hydrate and nourish the skin. A study from 2018 found seabuckthorn may help with alleviating UV damage due to its anti-inflammatory property. However, it should not replace your sunscreen.

Carotenoids and Vitamin E help nourish your skin's natural barrier. This barrier protects your skin and is responsible for firm skin.

Due to its antioxidant properties, seabuckthorn fruit may help reduce the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight unstable free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Learn more about Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.